Benton County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Benton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.7, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $92M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.92 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.26 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | High | 57.61 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.28 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $50M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $52K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 7.78 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.84 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $109K |
| Drought | Low | 10.66 / yr | $129K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Benton County ranks #6 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Benton County's $92M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.